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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-05-07, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2009. Whether you’re a gardening guru who has acres of perfectly landscaped greenery, or you’re short on space and potted petunias on the patio are your idea of gardening bliss, it’s possible to change your habits and really embrace a ‘green’ thumb. Gardening green involves using all-natural products and nixing those chemical-laden ones that are commonly relied upon. Here are some tips and techniques to have you seeing more green in the garden. * Au natural:Think natural products and strategies for your landscape. One of the best ways to promote strong roots, stimulate growth, aerate the soil, and encourage water retention is with the application of compost. Compost can easily be made from kitchen scraps, such as remnants of vegetables, egg shells and coffee grounds. In fact, this nutritional powerhouse is often referred to as “gardener’s gold.” Why send it to the landfill when you can create a small compost pile and turn leftover dinner into rich fertilizer? * Don’t be bugged by bugs: There are many insects that are very beneficial to your landscape. Earthworms are shy fellows that do a great job of aerating the soil by burrowing through the ground. Butterflies and bees can pollonate flowers. Certain spiders and centipedes can eat harmful insects that may prey on your greenery. * Use recycled products:Today there’s a bevy of gardening materials made from recycled products. From rubber tires turned into mats and mulch to flower pots made from recycled plastic, you can embrace your eco-friendly sensibilities. * Find an alternative to lawn: Instead of spending countless hours mowing, edging and trimming your lawn, devote some grass space to other plants -- even a vegetable garden. Then you get more bang from your gardening buck, including vegetables you can bring to the dinner table. * Be water-responsible: Conserve water by harvesting rainwater to use for your lawn and garden. If you must haul out the hose, water in early morning when there’s less chance of the water evaporating in the hot sun before it quenches plants’ roots. With a few easy strategies you can truly have a green garden in no time. How to get growing on your green garden (NC)—The bathroom has come a long way. It has gone from a functional, anti-septic place to a soothing, spa-like sanctuary. It is now the room of choice in which to relax, rejuvenate and escape from our frenetic-paced lives. The current trend is to establish a wellness room in the master bathroom where you create a haven for body, mind and soul. It’s now a common pleasurable ritual to spend hours on end soaking in the luxury of a bath filled with essential oils, mud or salts. This therapeutic refuge may be doing wonders for your body and soul but it may be creating long-term problems as a result of excess humidity. Your steamy mirrors, damp walls and fogged windows are more than just annoying; they could indicate developing difficulties like mold and mildew. Dealing with these mold and mildew hindrances in your bathroom has gotten easier thanks to the new smooth finish of the kitchen and bathroom paints. What are the colour trends for today’s bathrooms? “More, bolder colour in the bathroom is definitely a newer trend,” said Stéphanie Pelland, a marketing communication manager for a paint brand and a member of the international colour forecaster Color Marketing Group. “You can be bolder with colour in smaller spaces such as bathrooms,” she added. “Bolder, vibrant hues create a lively, enjoyable space to wake up to every morning.” While bold hues will make an impact, they’re not necessarily for everyone. For homeowners who want their bathrooms to be soothing spa-like retreats, calming colour palettes are still appropriate: greens and blues are known classics, and almost any soft hues or subtle neutrals can be soothing. Pelland said you can also follow the latest trend and add a touch of colour – “an unexpected ‘punch’– by pairing bright pastels or neutrals with a darker colour presence.SUNSET SPRINGS GREENHOUSE Sat. May 9, 2009 8:00 am - 5:00 pm New varieties of coneflowers, hosta and annuals. New planter pots and hanging baskets. Take advantage of the Home Renovation Tax Credit which includes trees, shrubs, perennials, landscape designs etc. So take a drive, and see what’s growing at Sunset Springs!! Bert and Carol Reinink & Family RR#4 Walton Ont. 43079 Hullett- McKillop Road 519-527-0761 Walton Canada Company Blyth Road Hullet- McKillop Rd. No r t h L i n e He n s a l l R o a d Seaforth SUNSE T SPRIN G S 5TH ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE Bring in this Ad for a FREE box plant. Valid for t h e month of May. Hullett McKillop Rd. WALTON Now open Sundays 11 am - 5 pm 519-887-8429 Your local Seed Station Seed Potatoes • Red Chieftan • Kennebec • Superior • Yukon Gold Onions • Multipliers • Dutch Sets • Spanish Bulk Seed • Peaches & Cream Corn • Homestead Peas • Yellow & Green Beans Many varieties of packaged seed Plus soil, manure, grass seed and garden tools BOB WATTAM'S BACKHOE SERVICE INC. "We Can Dig It" • Trenching • Landscaping • Excavating • Trucking • Ponds • Float Service • Fencebeds • Auger Service Belgrave, Ontario 519-357-3069 Mobile: Bob 519-357-6386 “WHERE HOPPER GOES THE WATER FLOWS” W.D. HOPPER & SONS WATER 2 WELL DRILLING FARMS - RESIDENTIAL - INDUSTRIAL - COTTAGES 4 MODERN ROTARY DRILLS LICENCED WELL TECHNICIANS FREE ESTIMATES STRATFORD 519-271-7860 888-271-7860 SEAFORTH 519-522-1737 888-522-1737 LICENCED BY Ministry of Environment Update your bathroom decor Classified advertisements published in The Citizen are now available on our website at www.northhuron.on.ca